I'm almost embarassed to post anything. There are so many gorgeous images being exhibited.
I drove up to Viera Tues. There are many pairs of hooded mergansers in the AM light at the end of the trail.
I don't know why you would be embarrassed, this is a very nice image. I like the light, angle and reflection. Great to see both in the frame. The white on the male's head seems a bit overexposed, maybe some S/H would help. I wish for a bit more separation between the two. In the upper left there are some streaks. I'm not sure what that is. Could you post some techs?
No need to be embarrassed as this is a very fine image! The major nit on this one is the blown whites on the makes head. In this case I would suggest doing some careful cloning (perhaps with the brush at 60-75%) from the non blown areas over the blown spot. I think with a little PS work you could "repair" this area quite easily.
Really fine detail in the darker plumage and a great job of getting both male and female in the photo. I agree about the blown highlights and I think the suggestion for cloning from non-blown areas is a good one. The "streaks" that Axel mentioned are, I assume, a faint reflection. I'm not sure. Regardless, I do not find them distracting. I also agree with the above comment that a little more separation would be good but I think getting both ducks in the picture makes any departure from the ideal worthwhile. I like the photo. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to show it if it were mine.
Yes. Viera Wetlands is in Melbourne, FL next to the water treatment plant. You get there from Interstate 95 exit 191. It's not far from Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge another place you might want to visit.
Susan, this is very nice. Suggestions given above sound great. There's a small tutorial posted in the DIgital Worflow Forum on 3 ways to fix blown highlights.
Thank you Susan for the information. Your picture of the hooded mergansers are quite sharp and you should be proud of it.These ducks are very nervous and hard to photograph.